The Vernon County D.A.R.E Program is run by the Sheriff's Office and oversees the education of D.A.R.E curriculum in the schools. The Sheriff's Office has School Resource Officers (SRO) that work in the Nevada, Northeast Vernon County, Sheldon, and Bronaugh Schools.

Drug Abuse Resistance Education - is one of the most important programs at the Sheriff's Office as it directly involves the lives of our children.

D.A.R.E. was founded in 1983 in Los Angeles and has proven so successful that it is now being implemented in 75 percent of our nation's school districts and in more than 43 countries around the world.

The primary mission of D.A.R.E. is to provide children with the information and skills they need to live drug- and violence-free lives. Additionally, it establishes positive relationships between students, law enforcement, teachers, parents and other community leaders. D.A.R.E. lessons focus on providing accurate information about alcohol and drugs, teaching students decision-making skills, showing them how to resist peer pressure and giving them ideas for alternatives to drug use and violence.

D.A.R.E. also reduces negative peer influence, increases family communication about the dangers of drugs, and creates a more positive image of law enforcement among students.